In the period of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union two main priorities will be pursued in the area of public health: closing the gap in health of societies of Europe and the prevention of brain diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Closing the gap in health of the societies of EuropeThe first priority dedicated to closing the gap in health of the societies of Europe was chosen and prepared with regard to strategic documents of the European Union: the second programme of Community action in the field of health (2008-13) and the “Europe 2020” strategy. Within the framework of this priority the Polish Presidency will focus on three issues:

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Closing the gap in health between the countries of the EU through action on health determinants, in particular proper nutrition and physical activity;

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The prevention and control of respiratory diseases in children;

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The prevention and treatment of communication disorders in children, including the use of e-health and innovative solutions.

The aim of this priority is to draw the attention of Member States of the European Union to the remaining gaps in the health of the societies of Europe and the necessity to close them.

The Polish Presidency will stress the fact of the influence of a good state of health and proper human development in the early stages of development on social and economic status in later stages of development.

Therefore, to close the gap in health, it is essential to conduct comprehensive activities in the field of promotion, prevention measures and education as the instruments allowing the shaping of health-seeking behaviour from the earliest stage of human development.

Particular attention will be paid to the prevention and control of respiratory diseases and communication disorders in children.

The pursuit of building a healthy society in Europe requires the development of tools allowing it to limit and fight these disorders, through the introduction of screening tests programmes, the creation of a network of institutions monitoring health phenomena and better utilisation of e-health and innovative solutions.

The prevention of brain diseases and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s diseaseWithin the framework of the second priority, the Polish Presidency will emphasise the need for constant interest in the issues connected with the ageing of European society, giving more significance to prevention, control and fighting against diseases typical of ageing-associated diseases, and the financial stability of healthcare systems related to them. Prioritising brain disease research will allow attention to be drawn to the significance of this problem in Poland and in all of Europe. It should also lead to better understanding and public awareness of brain diseases, and through this, to the decreasing stigmatisation, marginalisation and social exclusion of ill people.

In the global dimension, the realisation of this priority supports the European Union in its fulfilment of the purposes of health and social policies, and should contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives presented in the “Europe 2020” strategy, inter alia through activities aiming to close the gap in health.